Are we ready to prepare the way for Him ?

"Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him." Luke 3:4

Are we ready to prepare the way for the Lord as John the Baptist did?
John echoes the words of Isaiah the prophet "Prepare the way for the
Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become
straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God's
salvation."

John explains clearly (Luke 3: 10-18) what we should do as he explained it to the crowd.

Are our paths straight? When we deal with others, do we have a
straight approach. John doubts, for he says "make straight paths". Let's
make straight dealings. Are our heart and mind a fruitful valley? John
doubts, for he says "every valley shall be filled in". Our heart and
mind should not be a barren valley. Let's fill out hearts with love and
compassion so that it will be fruitful. Are we like mountains and hills
with keeping our head above all others. John knows it, for he says
"every mountain and hill made low". Let's bow our heads before others.
Are we like crooked roads, or rough ways? John thinks so, for he says
"crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth". Let's get
out of the crooked roads and rough ways. Let's be straight forward so
that everyone around us can mingle with us without fear.

John does not say to 'make the way', but he says to 'prepare the way'.
The way between Him and us is already created by God. We have only to prepare it, so that He can come to us.

If we prepare the way for the lord, what is the benefit? "..all
people will see God's salvation". As John emphasizes, the benefit is not
only for us, but for all the people.

Let's prepare the way for the lord in this new year. Let that be our new
year resolution so that all people will see God's salvation.

Are we ready to be laid in the manger ?

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger;” (Luke 2:7)

Are we ready to be laid in the manger ?

Before taking a decision, let’s see what is a manger and what is the importance of being laid in that. Manger is a trough or box of carved stone or wood construction used to hold food for animals. The word comes from the French manger (meaning "to eat"), from Latin manducare (meaning "to chew" or “to drink”).

As Luke 2:7 says, baby Jesus was laid in the manger. It’s clear from the above definitions that, what ever laid in the manger is meant for eating, chewing or drinking. Was it a coincidence that Jesus later on gave his body and blood to the mankind to eat and drink ? I think it’s a great message from God to remind us the theory of share and care in each Christmas. Jesus sacrificed himself to save the sinners, otherwise He became the food for the humans to save them. Luke 22 and 1 Corinthians 11 says “eat, this is my body, which is broken for you..this cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”There are a lot of people around us who are without food, shelter, clothes, and many other necessities. Are we ready to be laid in the manger so that the needy can share our food, shelter, clothes etc. Jesus sacrificed himself; are we ready to sacrifice at least a part of our luxuries to fulfill the necessities of the needy, or we continue to be a ‘dog in a manger’ ?

Dear brothers and sisters, try to be laid in the manger by God in this Christmas, so that we will be a help to the needy in the New Year. Wish you all a blessed New Year with the spirit of Christmas. I am sure we are ready to be laid in the manger by God.